[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 34 (Thursday, March 23, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S1664]]
                                PROGRAM

  Mr. THOMPSON. For the information of all Senators, following the 
morning business period at 1:30 on Monday, the Senate will begin 
consideration of S.J. Res. 14 regarding the desecration of the flag. 
Under the agreement reached earlier, two amendments will be debated 
during Monday's session of the Senate.
  As announced, no rollcall votes will occur on Monday, and therefore 
the votes in relation to those amendments are scheduled for 2:15 on 
Tuesday. Any Senators interested in debating this important measure 
should be prepared to do so on Monday or early Tuesday.
  Again, the next scheduled rollcall vote will occur beginning at 2:15 
on Tuesday.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, prior to leaving the floor, I hope the 
leader gets the message that we have a lot of work to do. There was a 
dialog that went on in the Chamber today talking about the many things 
that need to be done. Minimum wage was talked about at some length. I 
also remind the majority that there are other things we need to get to 
work on. We are not doing anything related to education. We have health 
care delivery problems that need to be addressed, including Patients' 
Bill of Rights, prescription drugs for seniors, and Medicare.
  There are other things that may not sound as important but are just 
as important. I met again today with some high-tech people. I know the 
Senator from Tennessee has spent some time on the Export Administration 
Act. I hope the majority will allow us to move forward on that 
legislation. It is extremely important to the high-tech industry, which 
is the flagship that is now driving this economy.
  The minority is ready to work day and night on all these issues. The 
reason I am so concerned is I have worked since my time in the Senate 
with Senator Byrd. He has been whip, he has been majority leader, 
minority leader, chairman as well as ranking member of the 
Appropriations Committee, and many other positions, but I have worked 
with him my entire 14 years in the Senate on the Appropriations 
Committee. I know how long it takes to work the appropriations process. 
We have 13 appropriations bills we must move, and it must be done 
before October 1.
  We don't have a budget yet. We have 13 subcommittees with the 
appropriators waiting to move their bills. We cannot do it until we get 
a budget. I don't think we are at a point of desperation yet, but there 
is a lot of work to do and not much time to do it. I hope the majority 
allows the Senate to move forward on all these important things as 
quickly as possible.

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